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Four Reasons To Plan Exterior Home Remodeling During The Winter

Many homeowners do not consider the winter season as a good time for home improvement projects and repairs – and this is understandable. Although several factors could determine the ideal time for your exterior home improvement project, the winter presents a perfect time for several reasons. Here are four big factors.

Contractor Availability

The spring and summer season months are usually the busiest seasons for building contractors. Engaging in an exterior home improvement project during this period can be difficult as well as frustrating. On the other hand, contractors are usually more available during winter as most people prefer not to invest in major home remodeling projects during the winter. This makes it convenient for you to schedule a timeline that suits both parties – you and the contractor, for the completion of your project.

Another big advantage of the winter season is that building contractors usually give more attention to little details. Although it is normal that every experienced and reputable contractor will go to any length to satisfy a client, there is more time to focus on your project during the winter.

Accelerated Permit Approval Process

Depending on the scope of your home remodeling project, you may require some sort of permission from local government agencies or homeowner associations. During the summer seasons, these agencies and offices receive a lot of requests and this could delay your approval. However, you can rest assured of an expedited process when you send your request during winter as government agencies receive fewer home improvement/addition requests.

Cost Effective

Summer months are usually peak seasons for building manufacturers. As more homeowners renovate or remodel homes during this period, the prices of certain building products and materials will increase. However, during the winter off-season, these manufacturers offer product specials and promotions. This will save you lots of money on items such as windows, doors, flooring, and tile. Scheduling your home improvement project during the winter will allow you take advantage of the available opportunities and save lots of money in the long run.

Vacation

People often seize the opportunity that the winter season presents to travel to warmer climates. Planning your home remodeling project during this season allows you take off for your much-needed vacation as you have little to nothing to do once you have everything well planned out with your contractor. The vacation also helps to limit your exposure to the noise pollution and demolition hazards.

It is very important that you plan your exterior home improvement project well on time, so you can have your home ready during the winter, ahead of the summer when you can invite friends and family to the house.

Learn more about Kearns Brothers, a full-service home improvement contractor servicing all of Southeast Michigan’s construction needs by visiting their website at www.kearnsbrothers.com or contact a remodeling expert at 888.355.6700.

 

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Three Ways To Increase The Value Of Your Home

Anything you hold near and dear is a potential investment, and like most investments, you want them to appreciate rather than depreciate in value. Many homeowners do not think about increasing the value of their home until they have to suddenly sell it or until it’s too damaged that any repairs would be as if pouring their money down the proverbial drain. Home improvements needn’t be rushed or put off for another day, in fact, given time, a few smart purchases, a little elbow grease, and a few helpful hands, you can boost the value of your home within no time. Consider the following tips:

  1. Exterior home improvements

The external structure of your home and its surrounding environs say a lot about you as a homeowner. You may not necessarily have a perfectly manicured lawn or a healthy rose garden, but with a few money-saving ideas, you can improve the exterior of your home and its curb appeal. For example, if you like flowering beds, consider planting flowers and shrubs that fit a minimum maintenance level.

Ground cover plants that are that is self-propagating such as ferns and ivy grow easily, and all you have to do is keep it trimmed. Consider also renting a power washer to remove stains, dirt, and debris from your sidewalk, driveway, and patio to ensure your grounds in entirety look well-maintained and neat.

  1. Structural Improvements

The exterior of your home is your first line of defense, and unfortunately, through no fault of your own, it is quite susceptible to the harsh elements. When siding begins to age, it fades to a dull and very unattractive color that becomes an eyesore. Fortunately, you can repaint or replace them with new siding that comes in a variety of colors, profiles, and textures. The goal is to find professional siding contractors who are more than willing to take the exterior of your home to a whole new level of elegance. Another addition to consider to your siding project is window replacement, but if the budget doesn’t allow, you can still achieve a wow factor for your buck with a lick of paint on your shutters, doors, and gutters too.

  1. Interior Improvements

If you must paint, always use neutral paint colors on your walls to give potential buyers a fresh canvas to work with. Remove all worn-out or dated wallpaper because not only does painting over old wallpaper a turn-off, but it also makes the removal process challenging. Replace scuffed or stained carpets and spend a little more on a new floor, preferably hardwood floors because they are trending and very easy to maintain. Paying close attention to things like the heating, drainage, drafty windows, or simply swapping the shower curtain for a glass shower door goes a long way. Consider buying new lighting fixtures, faucets, and handles, and have the tiled areas of the house such as the kitchen, bathroom, and floors professionally cleaned or re-grouted.

Learn more about Kearns Brothers, a full-service home improvement contractor servicing all of Southeast Michigan’s construction needs by visiting their website at www.kearnsbrothers.com or contact a remodeling expert at 888.355.6700.

 

 

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Five Signs Your Siding Needs to Be Upgraded

Have you taken a look at the siding on your home recently? Over time it can breakdown and begin to look unsightly.  Since it is a gradual process you may not notice until it’s too late. A house’s siding has been designed to protect the interior structure from the harsh elements. Is it time for it to be upgraded? Check your siding for one of the following five signs.

 

  • Is it falling apart?

 

Is your house’s siding falling off at an alarming rate? Do you constantly have to hire a handyman to go onto the ladder to reset it in place? Perhaps you’ve had to buy new siding from the store and patch it up. Now it looks uneven, but you’re uncertain whether it’s worth painting. It may be time to do some exterior home improvements.

 

  • Is there excessive dampness within the home?

 

If your home is starting to feel damp inside and you can’t seem to get it warm enough, your siding may be failing. This can be causing dampness and moisture to get into the structure of your home. Over time, this can cause major problems, such as issues with the development of mold that can infest your entire home. And while you’re having your siding done, you may want to do some replacement windows too, that can help provide energy bill savings.

 

  • Are little critters finding their way into your home?

 

If your siding is falling apart, this can be an opening for little critters to get in. They love the warmth of a home. You may start seeing a lot more insects too. There may be cracks and gaps starting in your siding. It’s time to withdraw the invitation and get the siding contractors to install fresh new siding and do other exterior home improvements too.

 

  • Does your siding look like it is fighting the wind?

 

Even if the siding hasn’t completely fallen off yet, it may be loose. If you ever hear any exterior noise during a wind storm, it may be the siding banging against your house. It’s only a matter of time before it comes off, which can be a safety hazard for people walking past. This is a sign that you need to call the experts to do exterior home improvements.

 

  • Are you uncertain if your siding confirms to fire regulations?

 

When was the last time the siding contractors came by and fully replaced your siding? If you’re the new owner of a house, you may have no idea when it was last done. Did you know that siding contractors use fireproof and flame-retardant siding now? Not only will your home look brand-new if you hire siding contractors to tear off your old siding and install with new, but you’ll also be conforming to industry regulations that will keep your family safe.

 

You may experience many other signs that it’s time to upgrade your siding. This may also be the perfect time to get replacement windows or have the roof done too. Soon your home will look brand new, for only a fraction of the cost of buying a new house!

 

Learn more about Kearns Brothers, a full-service home improvement contractor servicing all of Southeast Michigan’s construction needs by visiting their website at www.kearnsbrothers.com or contact a remodeling expert at 888.355.6700.

 

 

 

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Factors to Consider before Hiring a Commercial Roof Contractor

Hiring a roofing contractor, especially when it comes to commercial roofing, is a decision that must be taken after thorough consideration. Proper research needs to be done before selecting one. The major reason behind this recommendation is that commercial roofing is a costly affair. If a company has hired inexperienced commercial roofing contractors, it can add to their woes and prove to be even more costly for them.

Let’s have a look at some of the factors to consider before hiring a commercial roof contractor.

Licensed and Insured

To begin with, you must ensure that the contractors you are hiring have obtained the license to offer their services. Moreover, they must also be insured. This ensures enhanced peace of mind of clients.

Committed to Excellence

Look for the commercial roofing contractors who are committed to providing exceptional services. You must do a background check and read reviews on their services. This will give you an idea of their expertise.

Extensive Experience

It is important to know about the experience of a particular contractor before hiring them. Relying on new contractors in the market solely because they are charging less than others may prove to be even more costly for you.

Proven Techniques

Ask about the techniques and strategies that will be used by contractors before hiring them. Make sure they are in accordance with the international standards. Furthermore, you must also be aware of the material used by contractors for efficiently performing the job at hand. It should be of high quality if you want to attain better results. Inferior quality results will do the opposite effect and you will have to frequently spend on money for roof repair services.

Qualified Employees

Employees hired by contractors must be qualified. Moreover, they must follow workplace health and safety standards in order to avoid landing in difficult situations.

Use of Cutting-edge Technology

Hire a commercial roof contractor that make efficient use of state of the art technology for repairing or building a commercial roof. Use of the cutting-edge technology increases efficiency, reduces cost, and produce reliable results.

Cost

While it is important to consider cost but it shouldn’t be the only deciding factor when it comes to hiring a contractor for the commercial roof. The best idea is to compare prices of different top rated commercial roofing contractors before taking the final call. This practice will help you to get the best deal.

As mentioned above, the selection process of a roofing contractor can prove to be a daunting phase. To take a decision that is in the best interest of your organization, it is recommended to go online and check profiles of different contractors that offer services you require. Shortlist the profiles of companies that meet the criteria you have set, compare their prices, and communicate your requirements to them. This whole process will help you to select the best roofing contractor.

Learn more about Kearns Brothers, a full-service home improvement contractor servicing all of Southeast Michigan’s construction needs by visiting their website at www.kearnsbrothers.com or contact a remodeling expert at 888.355.6700.

 

 

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Types of Materials Used In Commercial Roofing

Commercial roofing is a specialty that’s a bit different than what is done for houses or other types of residential properties. Commercial roofing contractors will work with the commercial building or property manager to repair issues with a roof, replace a worn-out roof or build a brand new roof on a new commercial property.

There are many choices in the commercial roofing industry.  To begin, there are many types of materials that are commonly used in commercial roofing. Let’s narrow them down to help you choose the one that’s most pertinent to your project.

EPDM Roofing

This type of roof has excellent durability and can be used for a wide range of buildings. It lasts much longer than any of the other options. EPDM roofing is much easier to install, and is easier to maintain and repair than the other types of commercial roofing available today. It involves a single-ply membrane.

Green Roofs

This type of roofing has increased in popularity over the years and is commonly used in big cities. Basically, the roof is covered with vegetation implanted into soil. Beneath it is a waterproof membrane. This reduces the urban island heat effect by soaking up heat before it enters a building. It also works as additional insulation. It can increase the lifespan of a roof by as much as three times longer, and save on energy bill costs.

Liquid-Applied Roofing

This is created by applying high-tech polymers in liquid form that dry to form a moisture-free barrier.

Metal-Sloped Roofs

These are commonly used on high-rise buildings and last a long time.

Modified Roofing

This utilizes redundant layers of roofing to create a weather-resistant top. Built-up roofing is also similar and takes into account the roof’s slope and intricacies. Some forms are coal tar, asphalt, gravel, and modified bitumen.

Photovoltaic Solar Panels

This type of commercial roofing serves a dual purpose—it protects the building and provides solar power to it. These PV solar panels are installed on the roof and can be used with different types of roofing, including glass and roof-mounted tile. They can absorb the sunlight and convert to useable energy. This type of roofing isn’t commonly used yet, but can be a way to save money on energy down the road.

Thermoplastic Roofing

This is also known as TPO and it’s becoming one of the most popular types of commercial roofing today. It’s created of a durable material that is flexible, but has high endurance to heat or cold. It’s also resistant to the sun’s rays, and chemicals in industry. These types of roofs can last for up to twenty years or more. They’re also resistant to fires. They involve a single-ply membrane.

There are many choices in commercial roofing that can be confusing. Have a conversation with your commercial roofing contractors, as they are the best experts to help you choose commercial roofing based on the type of commercial building you have.

Learn more about Kearns Brothers, a full-service home improvement contractor servicing all of Southeast Michigan’s construction needs by visiting their website at www.kearnsbrothers.com or contact a remodeling expert at 888.355.6700.

 

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10 Tips on Choosing a Commercial Roofing Contractor

When it comes to getting your commercial roof repaired hiring a commercial roofing company is often the best option. However, make sure you get the best company for the job. Here are 10 tips on choosing a commercial roofing firm.

Ask Those You Know

Referrals and word-of-mouth advertising are two popular ways for contractors to get business. Start by talking to other members of the business community about the contractors they’ve hired in the past. Find out about scammers or those they’ve had issues with. While you may not get one single contractor, you can cut down the number of contenders on your list.

Check with the Better Business Bureau

The BBB will give you a score of all the different commercial roofing contractors in the local area. Look out for those with good scores. They’re more reliable and recommended.

Check for Designations and Accreditations

There are certain manufacturer designations and accreditations within the roofing industry, especially when it comes to commercial roofing. Find out more about them and the ones that contractors should aim to reach. There are strict requirements for contractors to gain the accreditation, and the contractors need to continually meet those requirements.

Find Out About Training

Does the commercial roofing company have official training for their contractors? Have they been through a safety program? Look out for those who have a good track record for safety and professionalism to make sure the job on your roof is going to be done to a high standard.

Check for Insurance

Always make sure the contractors have insurance and licenses. Any employee or subcontractor should be covered by this insurance. If they have it, they will have no problem showing you a copy to set your mind at ease. Insurance is essential to avoid being held liable should an accident occur while the contractor is on your property.

Ask for Recommendations to Your Roof

When you talk to contractors, ask them about their recommendations for your roof. What’s the best way for them to repair the damage? What would the best materials be? Ask a few commercial roofing contractors the same questions to make sure they’re trustworthy and not just after as much money as possible.

Get Estimates and Quotes in Writing

Always ask for estimates and quotes for the job. Get these in writing and in as much detail as possible. Good contractors will help you compare quotes easily. When it’s all in writing, they are also held to them in courts, meaning they are more likely to work out the total costs better. You lower the risk of a surprise bill at the end.

Make Sure You’ll Get Options

While the commercial roofing contractor knows their job, you should still get a choice. These choices will be about the color, material, and durability of the materials available. Color and material can affect more than your current budget. It can cause your resale value to drop.

Find Out About Cleanup

Does the company leave their mess behind after a job? You want to find someone who will look after your home and take care of their own mess!

Check about Extended Warranties

A commercial roofing company who is certain about their work will offer a warranty or guarantee. No guarantee at all suggests that the job won’t be great. It can take years for some damage to show if the roof wasn’t installed properly. Make sure you’re covered for this.

Don’t just look for a commercial roofing company within your budget. Do your research and find someone offering the best value for your money.

Learn more about Kearns Brothers, a full-service home improvement contractor servicing all of Southeast Michigan’s construction needs by visiting their website at www.kearnsbrothers.com or contact a remodeling expert at 888.355.6700.

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Hiring a Contractor Verse Remodeling On Your Own

There is so much plumbing involved in kitchen and bathroom remodeling contracts that it can represent a problem for most do it yourself homeowners.  Unless you know exactly what you are doing, hooking up pipes and rerouting them, you can end up with quite a disaster.  This is where professional contractors for the home come in to play.  They know the intricacies involved in full service home remodeling including how to connect and route plumbing correctly.

If you are not used to dealing with circular saws or other types of machinery needed to do the job, they can be dangerous for a novice.  Many people have been hurt using these over the years.  Proper operation is a must.  Think about that before ever taking on a home improvement job on your own.  It is best to be safe and hire a professional for renovations around the home.

Many times what contractors find is that a do it yourselfer will begin a project and end up hitting a snag.  They will not understand how to work out the problem which will lead to another project around the home that goes incomplete.  Then a professional has to be called in anyway.  Does this sound familiar?

Calculating Cost Mistakes

You could easily calculate the cost of a kitchen and bathroom remodeling project wrong.  There are lots of little things that can be forgotten and not correctly accounted for when pricing out a project of this magnitude.  These mistakes are easy to make; measuring too much pipe, not enough tile, or buying insufficient hardware to complete the project are all problems novice homeowners run into when attempting renovations on their own.

Benefits of Hiring a Contractor

A contractor is trained to handle all the pitfalls that come in full service home remodeling.  They can work promptly to finish your project.  There is typically a guarantee offered in case something is not right after they are done.  Contractors will come back and fix it to your satisfaction.

It is best to hire the right contractor to do all kitchen and bath remodels to guarantee the job is done right.  This will give you some backup in case there are problems that arise during the process.

Tips on Kitchen and Bathroom Artistry

It is important that homeowners take their time when looking to find a contractor.  Most homeowners will seek out three professional estimates and meet with each contractor before deciding on who they wish to hire.  When it comes to your home yellow pages roulette will just not work.  Homeowners need face time to get to know the contractor and develop a relationship. Intuition plays a big role in who ends up getting hired.  Some homeowners say they simply feel it when they finally decide who will perform with the level of artistry you deserve.

Another thing to look into is a contractor’s portfolio.  A company’s website is a great place to begin but also ask to see projects throughout the entire time the company has been in business.  It is also important to speak with the companies references.  Contractors with sufficient experience will have several references of jobs performed recently and in the past.  Be bold and call the references that have been given with the contractor.  Watch their reaction and you will get a sense of who they are.  Even if this makes you uncomfortable it is necessary to see how the contractor reacts in this situation.  Also, it is a great way to hear both sides of a conflict, if there was one and how it was resolved.

Obtain everything in writing.  A written documentation, signed by you and the contractor, is really the only thing that guarantees can be based off of.  All kitchen and bathroom contractors will readily supply homeowners with a detailed written agreement that describes what work is to be performed, materials to be used, and time frame in which the job is to be completed.

Final Thoughts On Hiring a Full Service Home Remodeling Company

These key points should help during the journey into the unknown of remodeling.  The goal is to achieve quality craftsmanship at a price that you are comfortable with.  Listen to your intuition as it often provides the answer to the hardest of questions when it comes to hiring a contractor and more.

Kearns Brothers is a full service home remodeling company that specializes in customer satisfaction with guaranteed results in bath and kitchen remodeling, commercial and industrial roofing, siding, and more.  For more information check out our website at https://www.kearnsbrothers.com or call our experts at 888.355.6700.

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Benefits of Working with A Roofer That Specializes in Commercial Roofing

There are many projects that can be approached by a do-it-yourself, handyman but when it comes to roofing, especially commercial roofing, it should be left to the experts.  It is important to hire a professional roofing contractor when your commercial building needs to be repaired or a new roof put in place.  A commercial roofing contractor is specially trained to handle the task of installation while avoiding major risk.

When looking for a roofer to install a new roof or do roof repairs to a commercial building it is advisable to hire only those roofers that are licensed and insured.  Without a doubt installing a new roof can be an expensive project but saving money initially by hiring a less expensive roofer may end up causing more burden to your pocket book at a later stage in the game.

Below we have highlighted few benefits of working with a roofer to handle your commercial roofing project:

  • They have skills:

The fact is that roofing, especially commercial roofing, is a risky process; if the roofer is not aware of right technique to handle the project, there is a lot more at risk than the roof.  That is why it is always important to find certified roofing contractors in the area to handle the installation so that you can ensure complete safety, efficiency, and comfort. Also, roofs installed by professionals stay secure and undamaged for longer because of the professional craftsmanship.

  • Cost effective deals:

When you hire a professional for roof repair, they can help you find a cost-effective solution to repair your damaged roof.  Experienced roofing contractors know the right source of raw materials, where they can find it at a low price, and they already have all essential tools with them to do the job. You need not make additional expenses on buying tools and materials. All that you need to do is fix your appointment with a licensed commercial roofing contractor and have the roof repaired or the new roof installed.

  • High-quality materials:

Licensed roofing repair contractors have years of experience in the field.  They are aware of the quality of different roofing materials. Different materials have unique pros and cons.  Many of them are also sensitive to different climates and inclement weather. Professionals will help you to choose the right material for your house so that you can enjoy long life services without worrying about any damage. Professional roofers also know where to go to get the best quality materials at wholesale rates and will most often pass the savings on to their clients.

  • They provide warranty:

The great news is that licensed and insured commercial roofing contractors most often provide a warranty for materials used in the process as well as craftsmanship. Professional roofer’s complete renovation project and provide their customers with peace of mind with guarantees and warranties if something happens to the product after installation. In case your roofing causes some trouble at a later stage you will be protected from costly repairs due to defects in materials and workmanship.

To avail all these benefits, hiring a commercial roofing contractor is a must. They can handle all challenges of your renovation project with ease and will carry the installation process after proper inspection.

Learn more about Kearns Brothers, a full-service home improvement contractor servicing all of Southeast Michigan’s construction needs by visiting their website at https://www.kearnsbrothers.com/services/commercial_roofing or contact a remodeling expert at 888.355.6700.

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Choosing The Right Full Service Home Improvement Contractor

It is of utmost importance that the person who is entrusted with a responsibility of a home improvement contractor is capable of handling everything well. You should keep a lot of things in mind before choosing such contractor. Today, we are looking at those things in detail.

Organizing Your Ideas

First on the list is idea organization – something that is very important. Since home improvement is a vast area of knowledge, you should keep track on all the areas in which your home needs a makeover. Additionally, having a crystal clear vision on your ideas can help you on the most relevant areas of improvement. So, once you get the idea – it will be a lot easier in choosing the contractor.

This is actually the point when you have to meet the contractor and exercise all the options. Just make sure to have a brief overview of the task with a couple of contractors and get their reviews. See how each of these full service home improvement contractors approaches things and if there are major differences in their pricing.

Reviewing Quotes And Your Budget

In fact, pricing is what comes next on your list. Once you have met a couple of contractors, you should get a brief idea of the market bids and pricing of your home improvement projects. This way, you can decide on your budget and review each quote in detail. When doing that, try to analyze the strengths and weak links behind each full service home improvement contractor and make sure that the proposed quote justifies the services offered by them.

Once you do that, you should take references by all of the contractors you interviewed. It is important to note that experience, exposure and performance all play a vital role in home improvement projects – and can get you transparent ideas and satisfactory levels of each contractor.

Signing Of Contract

The moment all of that is done – is the moment you need to execute a written contract. Here, the contractor will provide you with their own contract for you to sign and read it carefully without hesitating to ask more questions for language that need explanation or clarification. Here, you can also ask the contractor how the payment schedule will be put together and never give them more than 50% of the contract up front.

We hope this mini guide helped you find the best contractor for your needs and know what you are getting into before sealing the deal.

Fingers crossed on finding the perfect full service home improvement contractor in your local market!

Learn more about Kearns Brothers, a full-service home improvement contractor servicing all of Southeast Michigan’s construction needs by visiting their website at www.kearnsbrothers.com or contact a remodeling expert at 888.355.6700.